Skip to main content
Back

HPLC quiz

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • What does HPLC stand for and what is its main purpose?
    HPLC stands for High Performance Liquid Chromatography and its main purpose is to separate molecules in a column using high pressure and resolution.
  • What is the key feature of HPLC that allows for effective separation of molecules?
    HPLC uses a high resolution column with many interaction sites and applies high pressure to achieve effective and fast separation.
  • Why is HPLC considered an expensive technique?
    HPLC is expensive because it uses automated computerized instrumentation and a high-pressure pump system.
  • What are the two main types of HPLC?
    The two main types of HPLC are normal phase HPLC and reverse phase HPLC.
  • In normal phase HPLC, what are the polarities of the stationary and mobile phases?
    The stationary phase is polar and the mobile phase is nonpolar in normal phase HPLC.
  • Which type of molecules elute slower in normal phase HPLC and why?
    Polar molecules elute slower because they interact more with the polar stationary phase.
  • What is the main use of normal phase HPLC?
    Normal phase HPLC is mainly used to purify polar molecules.
  • How does the movement of the mobile phase in HPLC differ from other column chromatography techniques?
    HPLC relies on high pressure to move the mobile phase, not gravity.
  • In reverse phase HPLC, what are the polarities of the stationary and mobile phases?
    The stationary phase is nonpolar and the mobile phase is polar in reverse phase HPLC.
  • Which type of molecules elute slower in reverse phase HPLC and why?
    Nonpolar molecules elute slower because they interact with the nonpolar stationary phase via the hydrophobic effect.
  • What is the main use of reverse phase HPLC?
    Reverse phase HPLC is mainly used to purify nonpolar molecules.
  • What is a chromatogram and what does it plot?
    A chromatogram is a data plot that shows elution time versus light absorbance, indicating the amount of separated protein present.
  • What does a peak on a chromatogram represent?
    A peak represents a separated molecule, with its height indicating the amount present.
  • What role does the pump play in HPLC?
    The pump creates high pressure to move the mobile phase through the column.
  • How are proteins detected and identified in HPLC?
    Proteins are detected as they elute from the column, creating peaks on the chromatogram, which can identify both regular and modified amino acids.